Meet our team
Lisa Lu
Founder & CEO Lisa Lu graduated from Stanford University and is currently a second-year at UC Berkeley Law School. Named a 2020 National Youth Advocate of the Year, Lisa's work began in 2017 when she surveyed 857 students in China. Witnessing a normalized culture of teenage smoking, she founded IYTC and expanded the organization to 60 countries. Lisa oversees all international efforts, travels to network for IYTC, and executes grant projects. From advocating in Congress to speaking at national and international conferences, Lisa believes that IYTC is a platform for passionate youths to make a difference. Lisa worked as an undergraduate researcher at Stanford Medicine, was a National Youth Ambassador for Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, and served on the California Youth Advocacy Network college board.
Samhita Mirmira
President Hi! I am Samhita Mirmira, a freshman at Saint Louis University. I am a health sciences major in the Medical Scholars program. I have been a part of IYTC for the past four years and am committed to helping spread IYTC's message across the world. By educating kids and teens about the harms of tobacco products, millions of kids and teens will be aware of the dangers and will be less likely to use tobacco. Every kid should be able to live a healthy lifestyle free from addiction. Tobacco use not only affects them in the present but also hurts their future and can have medical disadvantages. As IYTC President, I can start living that dream by helping as many kids as possible stay away from the dangers of tobacco.
Kaelin Lee
Vice President Kaelin Lee is a 1st year student at UC Berkeley. As VP, she is primarily responsible for overseeing committees and running the internship program. Last year, she served as Chief of Staff and SoCal chapter advisor. The year prior, she was a board member and SoCal chapter secretary. She is most proud of her work on advocacy trips to the Philippines and Indonesia, where she engaged in legislative meetings and conducted educational activities for around 600 kids at schools. She is passionate about IYTC’s work because of family members having passed away from smoking. There is still so much more work to do in tobacco control, and Kaelin looks forward to another amazing year of IYTC advocacy!
Michelle Tuey
Chief of Staff Michelle Tuey is currently a junior at San Marino High School. Her passion for advocating against tobacco use began after researching the issue and reading countless stories about young teens whose lives were negatively affected by easy access to tobacco, especially vaping. Since joining IYTC, she has witnessed the power of youth advocacy and education to create meaningful change at both local and global levels. She hopes to continue raising awareness about the dangers of tobacco use and to empower others to make informed, healthier choices.
Aditya Moudgil
Financial Director My name is Aditya Moudgil and I am a senior at Trio World Academy. My hobbies are to play football, cook, and go to the gym. I’ve always been open to helping my community. As an IB student I’ve done a lot of service like teaching underprivileged students computer science and volunteering in vaccination drives. The older I got, the more I experienced youth smoking and to make a tangible impact to reduce this trend, I joined the IYTC to further progress on my journey to empower the youth as Financial Officer.
Janice Lee
Outreach Director Janice Lee is a freshman at Yale University originally from Los Angeles, California. She has been passionate about advocacy against youth tobacco use ever since she began working with the Anaheim Anti-Vaping Endeavor within her local school district, and has continued to grow her work since. As the President of the Health and Wellness Club at her school, Janice led the annual Red Ribbon Week to further spread awareness about this pressing issue. She hopes that one day, the communities she interacts with will be free of teen tobacco use and replaced with a healthier environment. In her spare time, Janice enjoys exploring hidden gem restaurants, singing, and traveling with friends and family.
Yiqi Qi
Social Media Director Kiki Qi is a freshman at USC, on the pre-health track with a focus on healthcare, and is currently in her second year at IYTC as Social Media Director. She also previously served as Social Media Officer of IYTC’s SoCal chapter. When asked about what got her started at IYTC, she explained,” I joined IYTC first because I was looking for extracurricular activities; however, after one year in it, I realized that its power is more than that. IYTC is a great platform for youth to spread their voices and take action to go against tobacco. We are actually the generation to stand for better health and the environment. It is our duty to prevent tobacco harm for the next generation, so I decided to continue my path.”When asked about what work she has been most proud of, she responded, “One of the things that I have done that makes me feel proud of is the collaboration post for World No Tobacco Day last year with the World Health Organization (WHO). I think it is really meaningful and makes more people, especially youth, know the harm of tobacco, and educates them.” All her hard work towards improving public health is admirable and makes her a stellar representative of IYTC. Additionally, Kiki is a joy to work with, always producing high-quality content while showcasing her kindness and spirit in every interaction she has. She uplifts everyone around her, fostering a positive sense of community. IYTC is lucky to have her and is appreciative of the countless contributions she has made to the nonprofit.
Saanvi Atluri
Tech + Newsletter Director Hi! My name is Saanvi Atluri, and I am in 10th grade. I live in California and go to Basis Independent Fremont Upper. If I had to describe myself, I'd like to think I am a resilient, compassionate, and detail-oriented individual with a keen eye for small yet important fine points that are easy to miss. I thrive on challenges and work hard to reach the result. This is a key factor as to why I joined IYTC to begin with. I wanted to be a part of the process that helps reach the ultimate goal: preventing tobacco in underage communities. This year, I'm looking forward to bringing in more columns and ideas for our newsletter as well as pages for our website!
Pranaya Sharma
Legislative Director Hi, my name is Pranaya Sharma and I'm a sophomore in high school currently. I am passionate about advocacy to advance youth-led tobacco control. As Legislative Director, I'll focus on organizing events, drafting support letters, and building connections with policymakers and partner organizations. My future goals consist of majoring in finance and becoming a corporate lawyer. Aside from academics, I like to dance and write in my free time.
Madhav Mirmira
Northern California President My name is Madhav Mirmira and I am a 10th grader at BASIS Independent Fremont. A fun fact about me is that I enjoy watching basketball. I am the Regional President for the Northern California chapter as well as the co-Outreach director. In my regional president role, I organize events and oversee operations for our chapter. For my Outreach director role I try and find opportunities for other chapters. This is my second year being regional president and my first year being co-Outreach director. I’m passionate about raising awareness about the harmful effects of tobacco. I believe that many people don’t fully understand the dangers of tobacco use, and I want to help change that. Through my work with IYTC, I aim to make a positive impact in my community by educating others
Noor Said
Maryland President My name is Noor Said, and I'm a sophomore at Poolesville High School. In my free time, I like watching documentaries and going on hikes. Tobacco has destructive impacts on youth, and I want to be a part of the mission that works to combat this problem! This term, I am serving as the president for the Maryland chapter. I am looking forward to working with all of you, holding educational events, and getting involved with local and statewide legislation efforts!
Amaira Srivastava
Arizona President Amaira Srivastava is a freshman at ACP High School in Arizona and a dedicated youth leader passionate about creating healthier communities. As a finalist in national science competitions and an active leader in school initiatives, she has seen how youth-driven action can spark meaningful change. Amaira is especially committed to raising awareness about the dangers of tobacco use, recognizing its harmful impact on public health and young people in particular.
Yuzhen Wang
Massachusetts President Hi, I'm Yuzhen Wang. You can also call me Nick Wang. I like to play volleyball and videogames. Dog is my favorate animal(though I don't have a dog). I might be a little introvert and shy but after I get to know you guys well that won't be a problem. I was born in China and moved to the U.S. last year so I have a pretty good Mandrain and also because of that my English is not so natural but I believe that I can get better and better while working with you. So excited for this year!
Ishan Patel
Texas President I’m someone who enjoys learning and finding ways to help others, especially through science. I care about making the world a little better, even if it's in small ways. I like using what I know to solve problems or support people when I can. I try to stay curious and open-minded. I’m not perfect, but I really do want to make a positive difference. My hobbies are playing basketball, football, and video games.
Trisha Anup
General Board Member Hi! I’m Trisha, a 11th grade student from South India with an interest in psychology and public health. My commitment to tobacco prevention stems from personal experiences—at a young age, I witnessed close friends struggle with vaping addictions, and it gave me a firsthand understanding of how powerful and damaging addiction can be. Through IYTC, I hope to raise awareness about the harms of tobacco, especially among the youth who are the most vulnerable to peer pressure and addiction. I also hope to empower youth to make healthier choices, and contribute to building tobacco-free communities.
Oscar Lu
General Board Member Oscar Lu is currently a high school senior from Los Angeles, CA. As one of IYTC’s earliest members, Oscar was tired of the prevalence of vaping among teens and the manipulative techniques used by big tobacco companies. He formerly served as the global technology director, designing the website, writing tech grants, and organizing secure software that connects members from all 60 countries. He is a firm believer that effective communication ultimately leads to more awareness. A resourceful board member, Oscar has led creative projects with the World Health Organization, taken on key representative roles (including meeting the Taoiseach of Ireland), witnessed the signing of SB 793 by Gavin Newsom, and mentored new members. In his free time, Oscar enjoys playing basketball, hiking, and practicing graphic design.
Victor Lu
General Board Member Victor's work with IYTC began in middle school, where his passion for advocacy was sparked by the belief that change begins with youth. Through IYTC, he hopes to empower young leaders to use their voices to redefine communities. Beyond public health, Victor is passionate about business and its potential to drive meaningful social impact. In his free time, Victor likes to golf, run, fish, and hang out with friends.
Samantha Liu
General Board Member Hi, I’m Samantha Liu, a Junior at San Mateo High School. My life is all about love—whether it’s for my family, my passions, or the people I meet along the way. Some of the things I enjoy include playing basketball, exploring physics, creative writing, photography, and listening to music—especially ’80s hits and rap. I also love collaborating with amazing people. As I grow older, I hope to become more involved and make a bigger impact on the world. I’m always eager to connect and have meaningful conversations with others, so I’m really exited for what this year has to offer.
Elaina Lee
Junior Advisor Elaina Lee is a junior at UC Berkeley majoring in Public Health on the pre-medical track. Inspired by her time in IYTC, she now uses her major to advocate for youth health outcomes. Formerly serving as IYTC's Board President, Secretary and Design Officer, she is excited to give back and pass her knowledge to the new generation of youth advocates. She connects with IYTC’s goal because she sees the negative effects of vaping and tobacco at her school and community and believes this issue should be legislatively reformed. Outside of IYTC, she plays basketball, likes drinking copious amounts of coffee, and baking.
Mary Allie Ladwig
Junior Advisor Allie Ladwig is a Milwaukee School of Engineering alum and currently serves as a health actuarial consultant. This is her fifth year with IYTC and is excited to be continuing her role as a junior advisor. In this role, she serves as a mentor to all of the board of directors and offers insight while allowing newer and younger minds to run the organization. Prior to being a junior advisor, she led as the Financial Officer for several years and first ever Internship Director. Coming into her eleventh year in tobacco control, this cause motivates her to use her strengths to help IYTC because of her mother's battle with stage-four lung cancer due to childhood secondhand smoke. She met CEO, Lisa Lu, in Minnesota at the National Conference on Tobacco or Health after speaking as the American Lung Association's keynote speaker at their Oxygen Ball Gala in 2018.
%20-%20Aristotle%20Zeng.jpg)
Aristotle Zeng
Junior Advisor I am a recent college graduate with seven years of experience at IYTC, where I have served on the Board of Directors, primarily as Vice President, and also as Chief of Staff. In my role as VP, and as one of the orignal founding members, I was instrumental in drafting significant portions of the organization's bylaws and policies, contributing extensively to intra-organizational development and outreach efforts. Currently, I work as a clinical research coordinator for the health tech startup LaughMD. Moving forward, in my role as a Junior Advisor at IYTC, I aim to mentor the Board of Directors, offering guidance while empowering younger leaders to shape the organization’s future.
Michelle Freridge
Advisor Michelle Freridge is an Executive Director of Asain Youth Center. She completed a B.A. at Michigan State University and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration at Western Michigan University before moving to Southern California in 1999. After more than 20 years of direct service, development, and management work in the non-profit sector, she attended Loyola Law School’s evening program and was admitted to the California Bar in 2011. Ms. Freridge is an Adjunct Professor at University of the West, where she teaches MBA classes with a non-profit focus. Michelle sits on the Board of the Rosemead Kiwanis Foundation, the San Gabriel Valley Bar Association, and the Pasadena Community College President’s Asian American & Pacific Islander Advisory Committee. Ms. Freridge is deeply committed to empowering youth leadership development and wants to assist IYTC youth in their advocacy and efforts to impact health through IYTC's mission.
Dr. Gay Yuen
Advisor Dr. Gay Yuen is a retired professor of education at California State University, Los Angeles. She dedicated her life to service as a leader in countless nonprofits, nominated by Congress as one of the “Phenomenal Woman of the Year” and received the Lifetime Achievement Award.
Dr. Dayi Hu
Advisor Dr. Dayi Hu is the chairman of the Chinese Association on Tobacco Control, director of the Intervention Center at Peking University People’s Hospital, and dean of Clinical Research Institute at Shanghai Fudan University. He promotes the concept of “small hand holding big hand”: through educating youths about the harms of tobacco, youths would persuade their parents to quit.